In October of last year, 2 days after returning from a holiday in Thailand, i was made redundant.The company had to make major cutbacks due to losses in market as a result of changes to the EU structure.I had been stuck in Albania for 4 years and thouight of resigning many times.My decision of what to do next was easy, move to the country i love and see what i can do.I arrived here on january 2nd and looked for business opportunitires in Chiang Mai, Samui, Phuket and Bangkok. Bad advice, scarey stories, uncertainty of local laws and getting drunk way too often with Ciaran and Ron (i_love_somtam) meant very little progreess was made.But finally i am there.Tomorrow morning at 3am i start the long drive from Udon Thani to Koh Chang with my gf, her son and my dog to take over the lease of a backpacker style bunglow resort.The location is amazing especially with the small house looking out over the sea.The resort is made up of approx 35, very basic, bungalows, a massive chill out bar / restaurant, a private bay with great snorkelling and will also include a dive school and Thai Craft shopPeople tend to think of Koh Chang as a expensive resort with luxury hotels, but there are still many places for the budget holiday type.Its gonna be tough and at times i will ask myself if i have done the right thing. Right now i am excited apprehensive and at times questioning my sanity.Anyway too late to turn back now.So wish me luck.Cheers

hey good luck with this....let me know the resort name and location...i love koh chang...great mix of resorts and just few enough tourists to still get a sense of the island......but plenty enough for business...

chok dee

Good luck, Macca.

Koh Chang is a great place for a holiday and I dont think it expensive at all.

Nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of places like Patong, and be more laid back.

Make sure you give out your details and plenty of pics.

Steve

wow

fantastic story, i am just about to do the same thing, i am selling everything i have here to come to try and live in thailand. i have no idea how i just need to try. I thought i was mad, but seems like i am not the only one. So it is good news to hear it is working for you

good luck i hope it will be a big success

Good luck mate, glad it has finally come together for you. Let's chat soon.

Good luck brother..I will see you soon,once you sattle.

drive carefully (even the roads are good but they are quite a straight road,,fall asleep easily)

Lizardo & tilaceer - Will let people know info later. I leaglly take over on the 10th and will respect current owner by keeping the name quiet until then.

Changnoi - Many have tried and many of those have failed. You will get sick of hearing opinions from people who know very little but think they know it all. My advice is seek good legal advice and dont try to be smart by cutting corners. Good luck

Maurice - cheers mate, hope we can catch up next time i visit BKK

Pai - VERY straight and boring roads. Very sad i saw 9 lorries that had crashed through the night when i driove to Saraburi last week.

Wallace - its a long trip to get there, but once there u just dont wanna leave

good luck mate .... all the best with ur new venture .... just watch out for the king cobras !!!

Good luck mate,we all have to bit the bullet some time or rather,hope every thing works out well.

I wish you good luck ja.. :-)

Good luck kaa. the Owner Resort on Koh Chang WoW !!!!

Good Luck Euan hope it works out well for you mate I will pay you a visit one day with a six pack in hand!!!!!

Wish you luck ja. Have a safe journey. Cheers!

Good luck macca! Best wishes! :-)

good luck with it.

what are the room rates? do you have electricity?

Best of luck to you Euan! I'll visit Koh Chang sometimes for sure, and now I know where to stay

Good luck!

awesome dude! I wil l head up your way. . we should exchange contact details and try to send referrals to eachother's backpacker joints.

I need a vacation, may head your way soon

-RilINJuH!

yep good luck! i love koh chang. will remember to ask you for the name of your resort when i go there

All the best friend . . see you soon

Good Luck Euan, I know you will make it work,

if you hit a rough spot I am sure there is a wealth of knowledge

you can tap into on TF to solve any problems you may encounter along the way.

Looking foward to a journal and some photos, when you settle in.

Thx to all the great comments.

Early night tonight as need to be u at 2am.

Will get some pics on here as soon as the dust settles and i know what the hell im doing

Best of luck in your new venture mate........You are a shining example of that British never say die attitude. It was only a matter of months ago you were drinking on sidewalks at 7am with the seedier element of the Bangkok community and look at you now!!! lol